Alexa and I had exchanged numbers and always caught up with each other. We decided to meet today at her house. I didn't want to go, but she insisted I come by, and well, there was no work today since it was Saturday.
The day after I had dyed my hair, I went to work feeling like a new person. Margaret was really surprised I dyed my hair black, and I understood why, but that didn't matter anymore.
While I was at work, I told Margaret about Alexa. She said she was looking forward to meeting her. They really needed to meet each other—I was sure they would love each other.
Instead of taking my car, I went to the bus station. I felt like taking the bus since it had been a long time. The last time I went was with Ethan.
"Let's take the bus and stop acting like a brat," I glared at him. How could he say I was acting like a brat?
"Well, I don't wanna," I said. I really didn't want to take the bus.
"You really like making a big deal out of something small." Taking a deep breath, I said, "Okay, please, let's take the bus today. I promise I will buy your favorite chocolate ice cream."
He really knew my weakness—I was a sucker for chocolate ice cream.
"Okay, fine." He gave me a big smile before we both went to the bus station.
This was the same bus station Ethan and I had gone to. The memories were still fresh, but this was not a time to get emotional. Still, I already felt my tears roll down my cheeks—they kept rolling down.
After a while, I wiped my tears and boarded the bus. I decided to distract myself by thinking about how Alexa's family was going to be. I hoped they weren't rude because I hate rude people—they disgust me.
Since Alexa's nice, I hoped her family was too. It would be a shame if they weren't. But Alexa was my friend, and her family didn't define her.
About fifteen minutes later, the bus reached my stop. I went through the road Alexa told me. It was a real estate exactly the way she had described it.
I think she said her building number was 23—or was it 32? Maybe it's 45. I'm honestly confused. How could I forget it? Now I was lost.
To make matters worse, my phone battery was dead. I should have charged it while I had the chance. I pulled at my hair, frustrated at my carelessness.
I waited for maybe an hour, hoping I would see her, but nothing. I didn't want to knock on everyone's door like a freak. I saw about five people and asked if they knew Alexa. I even described her, but they all gave the same answer: "No."
I was pretty sure Alexa would be upset I wasn't on time. Now I thought it was because I wouldn't be able to make it. This was my fault. I wished I had stored the number of her building or charged my phone. Either way, it was still my fault.
My patience was already wearing thin, and I didn't think I could wait any longer. I didn't see signs of people anymore—maybe this was my cue to leave. I really couldn't imagine how Alexa would feel or how disappointed she would be. I hoped if I explained to her, she would understand.
"Yeah, I'm on my way up now, and I got the chocolate ice cream you asked for," I heard a man say. I turned back and decided to ask if he knew Alexa, and if he didn't, I would definitely be heading home.
I walked up to the man, who seemed to have just noticed my presence.
"Um, okay, bye," he ended his call. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but do you need anything?"
Now that I saw him up close, he looked oddly familiar. But I wasn't sure we'd met before. Everything about him screamed FAMILIAR—I just couldn't pinpoint where. Was he a customer at work? I honestly didn't think so. His features didn't seem like someone I would see at work.
I was cut out of my trance when two fingers snapped in front of me.
"I asked if you needed help, but you just stared at me. Is there something on my face?"
I flushed in embarrassment. Why did I stare at him like that? Now he would think I was a freak—or even worse.
"Sorry, you just looked oddly familiar. I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable." He scratched the back of his head and smiled before saying, "No, it's okay. No need to apologize. Did you need my help with anything?"
This guy had dimples, and they appeared every time he talked. It was really cute and made me smile.
"Actually, a friend of mine invited me over, but I forgot the building number," I explained. "Her name is Alexa; she has a mole on the top of her lips, dark brown hair, hazel eye color, and she really isn't that tall." I tried my best to describe her.
"Wow, you are in luck." I looked at him in confusion.
"I am?"
"Yes, you are, because I happen to know the Alexa you speak of."
What am I hearing? He happens to know her, and here I thought he would have said he didn't know her or would have just said no.
"You really do?" I couldn't contain my excitement.
He just chuckled at how I sounded and nodded. His dimples were so cute—I wanted to poke them. They reminded me of Edward's own. That kid's dimple was hella cute. It's a shame I might not be able to see him again. I never forgot about him and also his irresponsible father.
"You really seem to stare at me, then think a lot," he broke me out of my trance again, which made my cheeks go red from embarrassment. I should really stop zoning out, but it was his dimples' fault, not mine.
"S-sorry, I just tend to zone out a lot." Ah, why did I stutter? Now I just made it obvious that I was embarrassed.
He just smiled. "That's not a problem at all. You should do what makes you comfortable."
Oh my, his dimples were just so cute. I really wanted to poke them. What did I just think? His dimples were driving me crazy.
"Thanks," I smiled at him. He was really nice. "Can you take me to Alexa?" I asked.
He didn't reply; he was just staring at me. Was he okay? I waved my hands in front of him before he nodded and gestured for me to follow him.
So it was actually building number 78. Wow, I would have never guessed. I was thinking it was number 30. It didn't matter now, though, because I had this guy taking me to Alexa. I wondered what his relationship with her was—maybe neighbors or they were seeing each other. Either way, she would tell me.
"You know, I never got your name," he pulled me out of my thoughts for the third time today.
"Stacy King, but just call me Stacy. What's yours?" I asked.
"Kyle Joseph, but just call me Kyle." Wow, he had a really nice name.
"You have a really nice name, Kyle," I complimented.
He gave me a big smile, making his dimples deeper. Oh, his dimples were so cute.
"I could say the same for you, Stacy." Okay, I had not expected that, which made me blush. I turned my face away so he could not see it.
We finally arrived at Alexa's apartment. He knocked on the door before it burst open.
"What took you so long? You're lucky she hasn't—oooooh, Stacy, you're here!" I gave her a sheepish smile before saying, "I'm sorry I was late. I forgot the building number and—"
She interrupted me before I could continue. "It's okay. You're here now—that's what matters." She was such a nice person. I nodded at her before she turned to Kyle.
"You better come in. Your son has been forcing me to solve some stupid math problems which I can't."
Son? So that meant Kyle was Alexa's brother. How come I never noticed the resemblance between them?
"Dad, you're home," the boy said. I turned to look at the said son, and my eyes widened.
"Edward." The boy looked at me with the same expression.
"Aunt."